第11章

\'IamintendingtocrosstoCorkfromBristol，\'returnedKnight；

\'andthenIgoontoDublin。\'

\'Returnthisway，andstayalittlelongerwithus，\'saidthevicar。\'Aweekisnothing。Wehavehardlybeenabletorealizeyourpresenceyet。Irememberastorywhich——\'

Thevicarsuddenlystopped。HehadforgottenitwasSunday，andwouldprobablyhavegoneoninhisweek-daymodeofthoughthadnotaturninthebreezeblowntheskirtofhiscollegegownwithintherangeofhisvision，andsoremindedhim。Heatoncedivertedthecurrentofhisnarrativewiththedexteritytheoccasiondemanded。

\'ThestoryoftheLevitewhojourneyedtoBethlehem-judah，fromwhichItookmytexttheSundaybeforelast，isquitetothepoint，\'hecontinued，withthepronunciationofamanwho，farfromhavingintendedtotellaweek-daystoryamomentearlier，hadthoughtofnothingbutSabbathmattersforseveralweeks。

\'Whatdidhegainafterallbyhisrestlessness？HadheremainedinthecityoftheJebusites，andnotbeensoanxiousforGibeah，noneofhistroubleswouldhavearisen。\'

\'Buthehadwastedfivedaysalready，\'saidKnight，closinghiseyestothevicar\'scommendablediversion。\'Hisfaultlayinbeginningthetarryingsystemoriginally。\'

\'True，true；myillustrationfails。\'

\'Butnotthehospitalitywhichpromptedthestory。\'

\'Soyouaretocomejustthesame，\'urgedMrs。Swancourt，forshehadseenanalmostimperceptiblefallofcountenanceinherstepdaughteratKnight\'sannouncement。

Knighthalfpromisedtocallonhisreturnjourney；buttheuncertaintywithwhichhespokewasquiteenoughtofillElfridewitharegretfulinterestinallhedidduringthefewremaininghours。Thecuratehavingalreadyofficiatedtwicethatdayinthetwochurches，Mr。Swancourthadundertakenthewholeoftheeveningservice，andKnightreadthelessonsforhim。Thesunstreamedacrossfromthedilapidatedwestwindow，andlightedalltheassembledworshipperswithagoldenglow，Knightashereadbeingilluminatedbythesamemellowlustre。Elfrideattheorganregardedhimwithathrobbingsadnessofmoodwhichwasfedbyasenseofbeingfarremovedfromhissphere。Ashewentdeliberatelythroughthechapterappointed——aportionofthehistoryofElijah——andascendedthatmagnificentclimaxofthewind，theearthquake，thefire，andthestillsmallvoice，hisdeeptonesechoedpastwithsuchapparentdisregardofherexistence，thathispresenceinspiredherwithaforlornsenseofunapproachableness，whichhisabsencewouldhardlyhavebeenabletocause。

Atthesametime，turningherfaceforamomenttocatchthegloryofthedyingsunasitfellonhisform，hereyeswerearrestedbytheshapeandaspectofawomaninthewestgallery。ItwasthebleakbarrencountenanceofthewidowJethway，whomElfridehadnotseenmuchofsincethemorningofherreturnwithStephenSmith。Possessingthesmallestofcompetencies，thisunhappywomanappearedtospendherlifeinjourneyingsbetweenEndelstowChurchyardandthatofavillagenearSouthampton，whereherfatherandmotherwerelaid。

Shehadnotattendedtheservicehereforaconsiderabletime，andshenowseemedtohaveareasonforherchoiceofseat。Fromthegallerywindowthetombofhersonwasplainlyvisible——standingasthenearestobjectinaprospectwhichwasclosedoutwardlybythechangelesshorizonofthesea。

Thestreamingrays，too，floodedherface，nowbenttowardsElfridewithahardandbitterexpressionthatthesolemnityoftheplaceraisedtoatragicdignityitdidnotintrinsicallypossess。Thegirlresumedhernormalattitudewithanaddeddisquiet。

Elfride\'semotionwascumulative，andafterawhilewouldassertitselfonasudden。Aslighttouchwasenoughtosetitfree——apoem，asunset，acunninglycontrivedchordofmusic，avagueimagining，beingtheusualaccidentsofitsexhibition。ThelongingforKnight\'srespect，whichwasleadinguptoanincipientyearningforhislove，madethepresentconjunctureasufficientone。Whilstkneelingdownprevioustoleaving，whenthesunnystreakshadgoneupwardtotheroof，andthelowerpartofthechurchwasinsoftshadow，shecouldnothelpthinkingofColeridge\'smorbidpoem\'TheThreeGraves，\'andshudderingasshewonderedifMrs。Jethwaywerecursingher，sheweptasifherheartwouldbreak。

Theycameoutofchurchjustasthesunwentdown，leavingthelandscapelikeaplatformfromwhichaneloquentspeakerhasretired，andnothingremainsfortheaudiencetodobuttoriseandgohome。Mr。andMrs。Swancourtwentoffinthecarriage，KnightandElfridepreferringtowalk，astheskilfuloldmatchmakerhadimagined。Theydescendedthehilltogether。

\'Ilikedyourreading，Mr。Knight，\'Elfridepresentlyfoundherselfsaying。\'Youreadbetterthanpapa。\'

\'Iwillpraiseanybodythatwillpraiseme。Youplayedexcellently，MissSwancourt，andverycorrectly。\'

\'Correctly——yes。\'

\'Itmustbeagreatpleasuretoyoutotakeanactivepartintheservice。\'

\'Iwanttobeabletoplaywithmorefeeling。ButIhavenotagoodselectionofmusic，sacredorsecular。IwishIhadanicelittlemusic-library——wellchosen，andthattheonlynewpiecessentmewerethoseofgenuinemerit。\'

\'Iamgladtohearsuchawishfromyou。Itisextraordinaryhowmanywomenhavenohonestloveofmusicasanendandnotasameans，evenleavingoutthosewhohavenothinginthem。Theymostlylikeitforitsaccessories。IhavenevermetawomanwholovesmusicasdotenoradozenmenIknow。\'

\'Howwouldyoudrawthelinebetweenwomenwithsomethingandwomenwithnothinginthem？\'

\'Well，\'saidKnight，reflectingamoment，\'Imeanbynothinginthemthosewhodon\'tcareaboutanythingsolid。Thisisaninstance:Iknewamanwhohadayoungfriendinwhomhewasmuchinterested；infact，theyweregoingtobemarried。Shewasseeminglypoetical，andheofferedherachoiceoftwoeditionsoftheBritishpoets，whichshepretendedtowantbadly。Hesaid，"Whichofthemwouldyoulikebestformetosend？"Shesaid，"A

pairoftheprettiestearringsinBondStreet，ifyoudon\'tmind，wouldbenicerthaneither。”NowIcallheragirlwithnotmuchinherbutvanity；andsodoyou，Idaresay。\'

\'Ohyes，\'repliedElfridewithaneffort。

Happeningtocatchaglimpseofherfaceasshewasspeaking，andnoticingthatherattemptatheartinesswasamiserablefailure，heappearedtohavemisgivings。

\'You，MissSwancourt，wouldnot，undersuchcircumstances，havepreferredthenicknacks？\'

\'No，Idon\'tthinkIshould，indeed，\'shestammered。

\'I\'llputittoyou，\'saidtheinflexibleKnight。\'Whichwillyouhaveofthesetwothingsofaboutequalvalue——thewell-chosenlittlelibraryofthebestmusicyouspokeof——boundinmorocco，walnutcase，lockandkey——orapairoftheveryprettiestearringsinBondStreetwindows？\'

\'Ofcoursethemusic，\'Elfriderepliedwithforcedearnestness。

\'Youarequitecertain？\'hesaidemphatically。

\'Quite，\'shefaltered；\'ifIcouldforcertainbuytheearringsafterwards。\'

Knight，somewhatblamably，keenlyenjoyedsparringwiththepalpitatingmobilecreature，whoseexcitablenaturemadeanysuchthingaspeciesofcruelty。

Helookedatherratheroddly，andsaid，\'Fie!\'

\'Forgiveme，\'shesaid，laughingalittle，alittlefrightened，andblushingverydeeply。

\'Ah，MissElfie，whydidn\'tyousayatfirst，asanyfirmwomanwouldhavesaid，Iamasbadasshe，andshallchoosethesame？\'

\'Idon\'tknow，\'saidElfridewofully，andwithadistressfulsmile。

\'Ithoughtyouwereexceptionallymusical？\'

\'SoIam，Ithink。Butthetestissosevere——quitepainful。\'

\'Idon\'tunderstand。\'

\'Musicdoesn\'tdoanyrealgood，orrather——\'

\'ThatISathingtosay，MissSwancourt!Why，what——\'

\'Youdon\'tunderstand!youdon\'tunderstand!\'

\'Why，whatconceivableuseisthereinjimcrackjewellery？\'

\'No，no，no，no!\'shecriedpetulantly；\'Ididn\'tmeanwhatyouthink。Ilikethemusicbest，onlyIlike——\'

\'Earringsbetter——ownit!\'hesaidinateasingtone。\'Well，I

thinkIshouldhavehadthemoralcouragetoownitatonce，withoutpretendingtoanelevationIcouldnotreach。\'

LiketheFrenchsoldiery，Elfridewasnotbravewhenonthedefensive。Soitwasalmostwithtearsinhereyesthatsheanswereddesperately:

\'Mymeaningis，thatIlikeearringsbestjustnow，becauseIlostoneofmyprettiestpairlastyear，andpapasaidhewouldnotbuyanymore，orallowmetomyself，becauseIwascareless；andnowI

wishIhadsomelikethem——that\'swhatmymeaningis——indeeditis，Mr。Knight。\'

\'IamafraidIhavebeenveryharshandrude，\'saidKnight，withalookofregretatseeinghowdisturbedshewas。\'Butseriously，ifwomenonlyknewhowtheyruintheirgoodlooksbysuchappurtenances，Iamsuretheywouldneverwantthem。\'

\'Theywerelovely，andbecamemeso!\'

\'Notiftheywereliketheordinaryhideousthingswomenstufftheirearswithnowadays——likethegovernorofasteam-engine，orapairofscales，orgoldgibbetsandchains，andartists\'

palettes，andcompensationpendulums，andHeavenknowswhatbesides。\'

\'No；theywerenotoneofthosethings。Sopretty——likethis，\'

shesaidwitheageranimation。Andshedrewwiththepointofherparasolanenlargedviewofoneofthelamenteddarlings，toascalethatwouldhavesuitedagiantesshalf-a-milehigh。

\'Yes，verypretty——very，\'saidKnightdryly。\'Howdidyoucometolosesuchapreciouspairofarticles？\'

\'Ionlylostone——nobodyeverlosesbothatthesametime。\'

Shemadethisremarkwithembarrassment，andanervousmovementofthefingers。SeeingthatthelossoccurredwhilstStephenSmithwasattemptingtokissherforthefirsttimeonthecliff，herconfusionwashardlytobewonderedat。Thequestionhadbeenawkward，andreceivednodirectanswer。

Knightseemednottonoticehermanner。

\'Oh，nobodyeverlosesboth——Isee。Andcertainlythefactthatitwasacaseoflosstakesawayallodourofvanityfromyourchoice。\'

\'AsIneverknowwhetheryouareinearnest，Idon\'tnow，\'shesaid，lookingupinquiringlyatthehairyfaceoftheoracle。Andcominggallantlytoherownrescue，\'IfIreallyseemvain，itisthatIamonlyvaininmyways——notinmyheart。Theworstwomenarethosevainintheirhearts，andnotintheirways。\'

\'Anadroitdistinction。Well，theyarecertainlythemoreobjectionableofthetwo，\'saidKnight。

\'Isvanityamortaloravenialsin？Youknowwhatlifeis:tellme。\'

\'Iamveryfarfromknowingwhatlifeis。Ajustconceptionoflifeistoolargeathingtograspduringtheshortintervalofpassingthroughit。\'

\'Willthefactofawomanbeingfondofjewellerybelikelytomakeherlife，initshighersense，afailure？\'

\'Nobody\'slifeisaltogetherafailure。\'

\'Well，youknowwhatImean，eventhoughmywordsarebadlyselectedandcommonplace，\'shesaidimpatiently。\'BecauseIuttercommonplacewords，youmustnotsupposeIthinkonlycommonplacethoughts。MypoorstockofwordsarelikealimitednumberofroughmouldsIhavetocastallmymaterialsin，goodandbad；andthenoveltyordelicacyofthesubstanceisoftenlostinthecoarsetritenessoftheform。\'

\'Verywell；I\'llbelievethatingeniousrepresentation。Astothesubjectinhand——liveswhicharefailures——youneednottroubleyourself。Anybody\'slifemaybejustasromanticandstrangeandinterestingifheorshefailsasifheorshesucceed。Allthedifferenceis，thatthelastchapteriswantinginthestory。Ifamanofpowertriestodoagreatdeed，andjustfallsshortofitbyanaccidentnothisfault，uptothattimehishistoryhadasmuchinitasthatofagreatmanwhohasdonehisgreatdeed。

Itiswhimsicaloftheworldtoholdthatparticularsofhowaladwenttoschoolandsoonshouldbeasaninterestingromanceorasnothingtothem，preciselyinproportiontohisafterrenown。\'

Theywerewalkingbetweenthesunsetandthemoonrise。Withthedroppingofthesunanearlyfullmoonhadbeguntoraiseitself。

Theirshadows，ascastbythewesternglare，showedsignsofbecomingobliteratedintheinterestofarivalpairintheoppositedirectionwhichthemoonwasbringingtodistinctness。

\'Iconsidermylifetosomeextentafailure，\'saidKnightagainafterapause，duringwhichhehadnoticedtheantagonisticshadows。

\'You!How？\'

\'Idon\'tpreciselyknow。ButinsomewayIhavemissedthemark。\'

\'Really？Tohavedoneitisnotmuchtobesadabout，buttofeelthatyouhavedoneitmustbeacauseofsorrow。AmIright？\'

\'Partly，thoughnotquite。Forasensationofbeingprofoundlyexperiencedservesasasortofconsolationtopeoplewhoareconsciousofhavingtakenwrongturnings。Contradictoryasitseems，thereisnothingtruerthanthatpeoplewhohavealwaysgonerightdon\'tknowhalfasmuchaboutthenatureandwaysofgoingrightasthosedowhohavegonewrong。However，itisnotdesirableformetochillyoursummer-timebygoingintothis。\'

\'YouhavenottoldmeevennowifIamreallyvain。\'

\'IfIsayYes，Ishalloffendyou；ifIsayNo，you\'llthinkI

don\'tmeanit，\'hereplied，lookingcuriouslyintoherface。

\'Ah，well，\'shereplied，withalittlebreathofdistress，\'"Thatwhichisexceedingdeep，whowillfinditout？"IsupposeImusttakeyouasIdotheBible——findoutandunderstandallIcan；andonthestrengthofthat，swallowtherestinalump，bysimplefaith。Thinkmevain，ifyouwill。Worldlygreatnessrequiressomuchlittlenesstogrowupin，thataninfirmitymoreorlessisnotamatterforregret。\'

\'Asregardswomen，Ican\'tsay，\'answeredKnightcarelessly；\'butitiswithoutdoubtamisfortuneforamanwhohasalivingtoget，tobebornofatrulynoblenature。Ahighsoulwillbringamantotheworkhouse；soyoumayberightinstickingupforvanity。\'

\'No，no，Idon\'tdothat，\'shesaidregretfully。

Mr。Knight，whenyouaregone，willyousendmesomethingyouhavewritten？IthinkIshouldliketoseewhetheryouwriteasyouhavelatelyspoken，orinyourbettermood。Whichisyourtrueself——thecynicyouhavebeenthisevening，orthenicephilosopheryouwereuptoto-night？\'

\'Ah，which？YouknowaswellasI。\'

Theirconversationdetainedthemonthelawnandintheporticotillthestarsblinkedout。Elfrideflungbackherhead，andsaididly——

\'There\'sabrightstarexactlyoverme。\'

\'Eachbrightstarisoverheadsomewhere。\'

\'Isit？Ohyes，ofcourse。Whereisthatone？\'andshepointedwithherfinger。

\'ThatispoisedlikeawhitehawkoveroneoftheCapeVerdeIslands。\'

\'Andthat？\'

\'LookingdownuponthesourceoftheNile。\'

\'Andthatlonelyquiet-lookingone？\'

\'HewatchestheNorthPole，andhasnolessthanthewholeequatorforhishorizon。Andthatidleonelowdownupontheground，thatwehavealmostrolledawayfrom，isinIndia——overtheheadofayoungfriendofmine，whoverypossiblylooksatthestarinourzenith，asithangslowuponhishorizon，andthinksofitasmarkingwherehistruelovedwells。\'

ElfrideglancedatKnightwithmisgiving。Didhemeanher？Shecouldnotseehisfeatures；buthisattitudeseemedtoshowunconsciousness。

\'ThestarisoverMYhead，\'shesaidwithhesitation。

\'Oranybodyelse\'sinEngland。\'

\'Ohyes，Isee:\'shebreathedherrelief。

\'Hisparents，Ibelieve，arenativesofthiscounty。Idon\'tknowthem，thoughIhavebeenincorrespondencewithhimformanyyearstilllately。Fortunatelyorunfortunatelyforhimhefellinlove，andthenwenttoBombay。SincethattimeIhaveheardverylittleofhim。\'

Knightwentnofurtherinhisvolunteeredstatement，andthoughElfrideatonemomentwasinclinedtoprofitbythelessonsinhonestyhehadjustbeengivingher，thefleshwasweak，andtheintentiondispersedintosilence。ThereseemedareproachinKnight\'sblindwords，andyetshewasnotabletoclearlydefineanydisloyaltythatshehadbeenguiltyof。

ChapterXX

\'Adistantdearnessinthehill。\'

KnightturnedhisbackupontheparishofEndelstow，andcrossedovertoCork。

Onedayofabsencesuperimposeditselfonanother，andproportionatelyweightedhisheart。HepushedontotheLakesofKillarney，rambledamidtheirluxuriantwoods，surveyedtheinfinitevarietyofisland，hill，anddaletheretobefound，listenedtothemarvellousechoesofthatromanticspot；butaltogethermissedthegloryandthedreamheformerlyfoundinsuchfavouredregions。

WhilstinthecompanyofElfride，hergirlishpresencehadnotperceptiblyaffectedhimtoanydepth。Hehadnotbeenconsciousthatherentryintohisspherehadaddedanythingtohimself；butnowthatshewastakenawayhewasveryconsciousofagreatdealbeingabstracted。Thesuperfluityhadbecomeanecessity，andKnightwasinlove。

StephenfellinlovewithElfridebylookingather:Knightbyceasingtodoso。Whenorhowthespiritenteredintohimheknewnot:certainhewasthatwhenonthepointofleavingEndelstowhehadfeltnoneofthatexquisitenicetyofpoignantsadnessnaturaltosuchseverances，seeinghowdelightfulasubjectofcontemplationElfridehadbeeneversince。Hadhebeguntoloveherwhenshemethiseyeafterhermishaponthetower？Hehadsimplythoughtherweak。Hadhegrowntoloveherwhilststandingonthelawnbrightenedalloverbytheeveningsun？Hehadthoughthercomplexiongood:nomore。Wasitherconversationthathadsowntheseed？Hehadthoughtherwordsingenious，andverycreditabletoayoungwoman，butnotnoteworthy。Hadthechess-

playinganythingtodowithit？Certainlynot:hehadthoughtheratthattimearatherconceitedchild。

Knight\'sexperiencewasacompletedisproofoftheassumptionthatlovealwayscomesbyglancesoftheeyeandsympathetictouchesofthefingers:that，likeflame，itmakesitselfpalpableatthemomentofgeneration。Nottilltheywereparted，andshehadbecomesublimatedinhismemory，couldhebesaidtohaveevenattentivelyregardedher。

Thus，havingpassivelygatheredupimagesofherwhichhisminddidnotactupontillthecauseofthemwasnolongerbeforehim，heappearedtohimselftohavefalleninlovewithhersoul，whichhadtemporarilyassumeditsdisembodimenttoaccompanyhimonhisway。

Shebegantorulehimsoimperiouslynowthat，accustomedtoanalysis，healmosttrembledatthepossibleresultoftheintroductionofthisnewforceamongthenicelyadjustedonesofhisordinarylife。Hebecamerestless:thenheforgotallcollateralsubjectsinthepleasureofthinkingabouther。

YetitmustbesaidthatKnightlovedphilosophicallyratherthanwithromance。

Hethoughtofhermannertowardshim。Simplicityvergesoncoquetry。Wassheflirting？hesaidtohimself。Noforcibletranslationoffavourintosuspicionwasabletoupholdsuchatheory。Theperformancehadbeentoowelldonetobeanythingbutreal。Ithadthedefectswithoutwhichnothingisgenuine。Noactressoftwentyyears\'standing，nobald-neckedladywhoseearliestseason\'out\'waslostinthediscreetmistofevasivetalk，couldhaveplayedbeforehimthepartofingenuousgirlasElfridelivedit。Shehadthelittleartfulwayswhichpartlymakeupingenuousness。

Therearebachelorsbynatureandbachelorsbycircumstance:

spinsterstheredoubtlessarealsoofbothkinds，thoughsomethinkonlythoseofthelatter。However，Knighthadbeenlookeduponasabachelorbynature。Whatwashecomingto？Itwasveryoddtohimselftolookathistheoriesonthesubjectoflove，andreadingthemnowbythefulllightofanewexperience，toseehowmuchmorehissentencesmeantthanhehadfeltthemtomeanwhentheywerewritten。Peopleoftendiscovertherealforceofatriteoldmaximonlywhenitisthrustuponthembyachanceadventure；butKnighthadneverbeforeknownthecaseofamanwholearntthefullcompassofhisownepigramsbysuchmeans。

Hewasintenselysatisfiedwithoneaspectoftheaffair。Inbredinhimwasaninvincibleobjectiontobeanybutthefirstcomerinawoman\'sheart。Hehaddiscoveredwithinhimselftheconditionthatifeverhedidmakeuphismindtomarry，itmustbeonthecertaintythatnocroppingoutofinconvenientoldletters，nobowandblushtoamysteriousstrangercasuallymet，shouldbeapossiblesourceofdiscomposure。Knight\'ssentimentswereonlytheordinaryonesofamanofhisagewholovesgenuinely，perhapsexaggeratedalittlebyhispursuits。Whenmenfirstloveaslads，itiswiththeverycentreoftheirhearts，nothingelsebeingconcernedintheoperation。Withaddedyears，moreofthefacultiesattemptapartnershipinthepassion，tillatKnight\'sagetheunderstandingisfaintohaveahandinit。

Itmayaswellbeleftout。Amaninlovesettinguphisbrainsasagaugeofhispositionisasonedeterminingaship\'slongitudefromalightatthemast-head。

KnightarguedfromElfride\'sunwontednessofmanner，whichwasmatteroffact，toanunwontednessinlove，whichwasmatterofinferenceonly。Increduleslespluscredules。\'Elfride，\'hesaid，\'hadhardlylookeduponamantillshesawme。\'

Hehadneverforgottenhisseveritytoherbecauseshepreferredornamenttoedification，andhadsinceexcusedherahundredtimesbythinkinghownaturaltowomankindwasaloveofadornment，andhownecessarybecameamildinfusionofpersonalvanitytocompletethedelicateandfascinatingdyeofthefemininemind。

Soattheendoftheweek\'sabsence，whichhadbroughthimasfarasDublin，heresolvedtocurtailhistour，returntoEndelstow，andcommithimselfbymakingarealityofthehypotheticalofferofthatSundayevening。

Notwithstandingthathehadconcoctedagreatdealofpapertheoryonsocialamenitiesandmodernmannersgenerally，thespecialounceofpracticewaswanting，andnowforhislifeKnightcouldnotrecollectwhetheritwasconsideredcorrecttogiveayoungladypersonalornamentsbeforearegularengagementtomarryhadbeeninitiated。ButthedaybeforeleavingDublinhelookedaroundanxiouslyforahigh-classjewelleryestablishment，inwhichhepurchasedwhatheconsideredwouldsuitherbest。

Itwaswithamostawkwardandunwontedfeelingthatafterenteringandclosingthedoorofhisroomhesatdown，openedthemoroccocase，andheldupeachofthefragilebitsofgold-workbeforehiseyes。Manythingshadbecomeoldtothesolitarymanofletters，butthesewerenew，andhehandledlikeachildanoutcomeofcivilizationwhichhadneverbeforebeentouchedbyhisfingers。Asuddenfastidiousdecisionthatthepatternchosenwouldnotsuitherafterallcausedhimtoriseinaflurryandteardownthestreettochangethemforothers。Afteragreatdealoftroubleinreselecting，duringwhichhismindbecamesobewilderedthatthecriticalfacultyonobjectsofartseemedtohavevacatedhispersonaltogether，Knightcarriedoffanotherpairofear-rings。Theseremainedinhispossessiontilltheafternoon，when，aftercontemplatingthemfiftytimeswithagrowingmisgivingthatthelastchoicewasworsethanthefirst，hefeltthatnosleepwouldvisithispillowtillhehadimproveduponhispreviouspurchasesyetagain。Inaperfectheatofvexationwithhimselfforsuchtergiversation，hewentanewtotheshop-door，wasabsolutelyashamedtoenterandgivefurthertrouble，wenttoanothershop，boughtapairatanenormouslyincreasedprice，becausetheyseemedtheverything，askedthegoldsmithsiftheywouldtaketheotherpairinexchange，wastoldthattheycouldnotexchangearticlesboughtofanothermaker，paiddownthemoney，andwentoffwiththetwopairsinhispossession，wonderingwhatonearthtodowiththesuperfluouspair。Healmostwishedhecouldlosethem，orthatsomebodywouldstealthem，andwasburdenedwithaninterposingsensethat，asacapableman，withtrueideasofeconomy，hemustnecessarilysellthemsomewhere，whichhedidatlastforameresong。Mingledwithablankfeelingofawholedaybeinglosttohiminrunningaboutthecityonthisnewandextraordinaryclassoferrand，andofseveralpoundsbeinglostthroughhisbungling，wasaslightsenseofsatisfactionthathehademergedforeverfromhisantediluvianignoranceonthesubjectofladies\'jewellery，aswellassecuredatrulyartisticproductionatlast。Duringtheremainderofthatdayhescannedtheornamentsofeveryladyhemetwiththeprofoundlyexperiencedeyeofanappraiser。

NextmorningKnightwasagaincrossingSt。George\'sChannel——notreturningtoLondonbytheHolyheadrouteashehadoriginallyintended，buttowardsBristol——availinghimselfofMr。andMrs。

Swancourt\'sinvitationtorevisitthemonhishomewardjourney。

WeflitforwardtoElfride。

Woman\'srulingpassion——tofascinateandinfluencethosemorepowerfulthanshe——thoughoperantinElfride，wasdecidedlypurposeless。ShehadwantedherfriendKnight\'sgoodopinionfromthefirst:howmuchmorethanthatelementaryingredientoffriendshipshenowdesired，herfearswouldhardlyallowhertothink。Inoriginallywishingtopleasethehighestclassofmanshehadeverintimatelyknown，therewasnodisloyaltytoStephenSmith。Shecouldnot——andfewwomencan——realizethepossiblevastnessofanissuewhichhasonlyaninsignificantbegetting。

HerlettersfromStephenwerenecessarilyfew，andhersenseoffidelityclungtothelastshehadreceivedasawreckedmarinerclingstoflotsam。TheyounggirlpersuadedherselfthatshewasgladStephenhadsucharighttoherhandashehadacquired(inhereyes)bytheelopement。Shebeguiledherselfbysaying，\'PerhapsifIhadnotsocommittedmyselfImightfallinlovewithMr。Knight。\'

AllthismadetheweekofKnight\'sabsenceverygloomyanddistastefultoher。SheretainedStepheninherprayers，andhisoldletterswerere-read——asamedicineinreality，thoughshedeceivedherselfintothebeliefthatitwasasapleasure。

Theselettershadgrownmoreandmorehopeful。Hetoldherthathefinishedhisworkeverydaywithapleasantconsciousnessofhavingremovedonemorestonefromthebarrierwhichdividedthem。

Thenhedrewimagesofwhatafinefiguretheytwowouldcutsomeday。Peoplewouldturntheirheadsandsay，\'Whataprizehehaswon!\'Shewasnottobesadaboutthatwildrunawayattemptoftheirs(Elfridehadrepeatedlysaidthatitgrievedher)。

Whateveranyotherpersonwhoknewofitmightthink，heknewwellenoughthemodestyofhernature。TheonlyreproachwasagentleonefornothavingwrittenquitesodevotedlyduringhervisittoLondon。Herletterhadseemedtohavealivelinessderivedfromotherthoughtsthanthoughtsofhim。

Knight\'sintentionofanearlyreturntoEndelstowhavingoriginallybeenfaint，hispromisetodosohadbeenfainter。Hewasamanwhokepthiswordswelltotherearofhispossibleactions。Thevicarwasrathersurprisedtoseehimagainsosoon:

Mrs。Swancourtwasnot。Knightfound，onmeetingthemall，afterhisarrivalhadbeenannounced，thattheyhadformedanintentiontogotoSt。Leonardsforafewdaysattheendofthemonth。

NosatisfactoryconjunctureoffereditselfonthisfirsteveningofhisreturnforpresentingElfridewithwhathehadbeenatsuchpainstoprocure。Hewasfastidiousinhisreadingofopportunitiesforsuchanintendedact。Thenextmorningchancingtobreakfineafteraweekofcloudyweather，itwasproposedanddecidedthattheyshouldalldrivetoBarwithStrand，alocallionwhichneitherMrs。SwancourtnorKnighthadseen。Knightscentedromanticoccasionsfromafar，andforesawthatsuchaonemightbeexpectedbeforethecomingnight。

Thejourneywasalongaroadbyneutralgreenhills，uponwhichhedgerowslaytrailinglikeropesonaquay。Gapsintheseuplandsrevealedthebluesea，fleckedwithafewdashesofwhiteandasolitarywhitesail，thewholebrimminguptoakeenhorizonwhichlaylikealineruledfromhillsidetohillside。Thentheyrolleddownapass，thechocolate-tonedrocksformingawallonbothsides，fromoneofwhichfellaheavyjaggedshadeoverhalftheroadway。Aspoutoffreshwaterburstfromanoccasionalcrevice，andpatteringdownuponbroadgreenleaves，ranalongasarivuletatthebottom。Unkemptlocksofheatheroverhungthebrowofeachsteep，whenceatdiverspointsabrambleswungforthintomid-air，snatchingattheirhead-dresseslikeaclaw。

Theymountedthelastcrest，andthebaywhichwastobetheendoftheirpilgrimageburstuponthem。Theoceanbluenessdeepeneditscolourasitstretchedtothefootofthecrags，whereitterminatedinafringeofwhite——silentatthisdistance，thoughmovingandheavinglikeacounterpaneuponarestlesssleeper。

Theshadowedhollowsofthepurpleandbrownrockswouldhavebeencalledbluehadnotthattintbeensoentirelyappropriatedbythewaterbesidethem。

Thecarriagewasputupatalittlecottagewithashedattached，andanostlerandthecoachmancarriedthehamperofprovisionsdowntotheshore。

Knightfoundhisopportunity。\'Ididnotforgetyourwish，\'hebegan，whentheywereapartfromtheirfriends。

Elfridelookedasifshedidnotunderstand。

\'AndIhavebroughtyouthese，\'hecontinued，awkwardlypullingoutthecase，andopeningitwhileholdingittowardsher。

\'OMr。Knight!\'saidElfrideconfusedly，andturningtoalivelyred；\'Ididn\'tknowyouhadanyintentionormeaninginwhatyousaid。Ithoughtitameresupposition。Idon\'twantthem。\'

Athoughtwhichhadflashedintohermindgavethereplyagreaterdecisivenessthanitmightotherwisehavepossessed。To-morrowwasthedayforStephen\'sletter。

\'Butwillyounotacceptthem？\'Knightreturned，feelinglesshermasterthanheretofore。

\'Iwouldrathernot。Theyarebeautiful——morebeautifulthananyIhaveeverseen，\'sheansweredearnestly，lookinghalf-wishfullyatthetemptation，asEvemayhavelookedattheapple。\'ButI

don\'twanttohavethem，ifyouwillkindlyforgiveme，Mr。

Knight。\'

\'Nokindnessatall，\'saidMr。Knight，broughttoafullstopatthisunexpectedturnofevents。

Asilencefollowed。Knightheldtheopencase，lookingratherwofullyattheglitteringformshehadforsakenhisorbittoprocure；turningitaboutandholdingitupasif，feelinghisgifttobeslightedbyher，hewereendeavouringtoadmireitverymuchhimself。

\'Shutthemup，anddon\'tletmeseethemanylonger——do!\'shesaidlaughingly，andwithaquaintmixtureofreluctanceandentreaty。

\'Why，Elfie？\'

\'NotElfietoyou，Mr。Knight。Oh，becauseIshallwantthem。

There，Iamsilly，Iknow，tosaythat!ButIhaveareasonfornottakingthem——now。\'Shekeptinthelastwordforamoment，intendingtoimplythatherrefusalwasfinite，butsomehowthewordslippedout，andundidalltherest。

\'Youwilltakethemsomeday？\'

\'Idon\'twantto。\'

\'Whydon\'tyouwantto，ElfrideSwancourt？\'

\'BecauseIdon\'t。Idon\'tliketotakethem。\'

\'Ihavereadafactofdistressingsignificanceinthat，\'saidKnight。\'Sinceyoulikethem，yourdisliketohavingthemmustbetowardsme？\'

\'No，itisn\'t。\'

\'What，then？Doyoulikeme？\'

Elfridedeepenedintint，andlookedintothedistancewithfeaturesshapedtoanexpressionofthenicestcriticismasregardedheranswer。

\'Ilikeyouprettywell，\'sheatlengthmurmuredmildly。

\'Notverymuch？\'

\'Youaresosharpwithme，andsayhardthings，andsohowcanI？\'

sherepliedevasively。

\'Youthinkmeafogey，Isuppose？\'

\'No，Idon\'t——ImeanIdo——Idon\'tknowwhatIthinkyou，Imean。

Letusgotopapa，\'respondedElfride，withsomewhatofaflurrieddelivery。

\'Well，I\'lltellyoumyobjectingettingthepresent，\'saidKnight，withacomposureintendedtoremovefromhermindanypossibleimpressionofhisbeingwhathewas——herlover。\'YouseeitwastheveryleastIcoulddoincommoncivility。\'

Elfridefeltratherblankatthislucidstatement。

Knightcontinued，puttingawaythecase:\'Ifeltasanybodynaturallywouldhave，youknow，thatmywordsonyourchoicetheotherdaywereinvidiousandunfair，andthoughtanapologyshouldtakeapracticalshape。\'

\'Ohyes。\'

Elfridewassorry——shecouldnottellwhy——thathegavesuchalegitimatereason。Itwasadisappointmentthathehadallthetimeacoolmotive，whichmightbestatedtoanybodywithoutraisingasmile。Hadsheknowntheywereofferedinthatspirit，shewouldcertainlyhaveacceptedtheseductivegift。Andthetantalizingfeaturewasthatperhapshesuspectedhertoimaginethemofferedasalover\'stoken，whichwasmortifyingenoughiftheywerenot。

Mrs。Swancourtcamenowtowheretheyweresitting，toselectaflatboulderforspreadingtheirtable-clothupon，and，amidthediscussiononthatsubject，thematterpendingbetweenKnightandElfridewasshelvedforawhile。Hereadherrefusalsocertainlyasthebashfulnessofagirlinanovelposition，that，uponthewhole，hecouldtoleratesuchabeginning。CouldKnighthavebeentoldthatitwasasenseoffidelitystrugglingagainstnewlove，whilstnolessassuringastohisultimatevictory，itmighthaveentirelyabstractedthewishtosecureit。

Atthesametimeaslightconstraintofmannerwasvisiblebetweenthemfortheremainderoftheafternoon。Thetideturned，andtheywereobligedtoascendtohigherground。Thedayglidedontoitsendwiththeusualquietdreamypassivityofsuchoccasions——wheneverydeeddoneandthingthoughtisinendeavouringtoavoiddoingandthinkingmore。Lookingidlyoverthevergeofacrag，theybeheldtheirstonedining-tablegraduallybeingsplasheduponandtheircrumbsandfragmentsallwashedawaybytheincomingsea。Thevicardrewamorallessonfromthescene；Knightrepliedinthesamesatisfiedstrain。Andthenthewavesrolledinfuriously——theneutralgreen-and-bluetonguesofwatersliduptheslopes，andweremetamorphosedintofoambyacarelessblow，fallingbackwhiteandfaint，andleavingtrailingfollowersbehind。

Thepassingofaheavyshowerwasthenextscene——drivingthemtoshelterinashallowcave——afterwhichthehorseswereputin，andtheystartedtoreturnhomeward。Bythetimetheyreachedthehigherlevelstheskyhadagaincleared，andthesunsetraysglanceddirectlyuponthewetuphillroadtheyhadclimbed。Therutsformedbytheircarriage-wheelsontheascent——apairofLiliputiancanals——wereasshiningbarsofgold，taperingtonothinginthedistance。Uponthisalsotheyturnedtheirbacks，andnightspreadoverthesea。

Theeveningwaschilly，andtherewasnomoon。KnightsatclosetoElfride，and，whenthedarknessrenderedthepositionofapersonamatterofuncertainty，particularlyclose。Elfrideedgedaway。

\'Ihopeyouallowmemyplaceungrudgingly？\'hewhispered。

\'Ohyes；\'tistheleastIcandoincommoncivility，\'shesaid，accentingthewordssothathemightrecognizethemashisownreturned。

Bothofthemfeltdelicatelybalancedbetweentwopossibilities。

Thustheyreachedhome。

ToKnightthismildexperiencewasdelightful。Itwastohimagentleinnocenttime——atimewhich，thoughtheremaynotbemuchinit，seldomrepeatsitselfinaman\'slife，andhasapeculiardearnesswhenglancedatretrospectively。Heisnotinconvenientlydeepinlove，andislulledbyapeacefulsenseofbeingabletoenjoythemosttrivialthingwithachildlikeenjoyment。Themovementofawave，thecolourofastone，anything，wasenoughforKnight\'sdrowsythoughtsofthatdaytoprecipitatethemselvesupon。Eventhesermonizingplatitudesthevicarhaddeliveredhimselfof——chieflybecausesomethingseemedtobeprofessionallyrequiredofhiminthepresenceofamanofKnight\'sproclivities——wereswallowedwhole。ThepresenceofElfrideledhimnotmerelytotoleratethatkindoftalkfromthenecessitiesofordinarycourtesy；buthelistenedtoit——tookintheideaswithanenjoyablemake-believethattheywereproperandnecessary，andindulgedinaconservativefeelingthatthefaceofthingswascomplete。

EnteringherroomthateveningElfridefoundapacketforherselfonthedressing-table。Howitcamethereshedidnotknow。Shetremblinglyundidthefoldsofwhitepaperthatcoveredit。Yes；

itwasthetreasureofamoroccocase，containingthosetreasuresofornamentshehadrefusedinthedaytime。

Elfridedressedherselfinthemforamoment，lookedatherselfintheglass，blushedred，andputthemaway。Theyfilledherdreamsallthatnight。Neverhadsheseenanythingsolovely，andneverwasitmoreclearthatasanhonestwomanshewasindutyboundtorefusethem。Whyitwasnotequallycleartoherthatdutyrequiredmorevigorousco-ordinateconductaswell，letthosewhodissecthersay。

Thenextmorningglaredinlikeaspectreuponher。ItwasStephen\'sletter-day，andshewasboundtomeetthepostman——tostealthilydoadeedshehadneverliked，tosecureanendshenowhadceasedtodesire。

Butshewent。

Thereweretwoletters。

OnewasfromthebankatSt。Launce\'s，inwhichshehadasmallprivatedeposit——probablysomethingaboutinterest。Sheputthatinherpocketforamoment，andgoingindoorsandupstairstobesaferfromobservation，tremblinglyopenedStephen\'s。

Whatwasthishesaidtoher？

ShewastogototheSt。Launce\'sBankandtakeasumofmoneywhichtheyhadreceivedprivateadvicestopayher。

Thesumwastwohundredpounds。

Therewasnocheck，order，oranythingofthenatureofguarantee。

Infacttheinformationamountedtothis:themoneywasnowintheSt。Launce\'sBank，standinginhername。

Sheinstantlyopenedtheotherletter。Itcontainedadeposit-

notefromthebankforthesumoftwohundredpoundswhichhadthatdaybeenaddedtoheraccount。Stephen\'sinformation，then，wascorrect，andthetransfermade。

\'Ihavesavedthisinoneyear，\'Stephen\'sletterwentontosay，\'andwhatsoproperaswellaspleasantformetodoastohanditovertoyoutokeepforyouruse？Ihaveplentyformyself，independentlyofthis。Shouldyounotbedisposedtoletitlieidleinthebank，getyourfathertoinvestitinyournameongoodsecurity。Itisalittlepresenttoyoufromyourmorethanbetrothed。Hewill，Ithink，Elfride，feelnowthatmypretensionstoyourhandareanythingbutthedreamofasillyboynotworthrationalconsideration。\'

Withanaturaldelicacy，Elfride，inmentioningherfather\'smarriage，hadrefrainedfromallallusiontothepecuniaryresourcesofthelady。

Leavingthismatter-of-factsubject，hewenton，somewhatafterhisboyishmanner:

\'Doyouremember，darling，thatfirstmorningofmyarrivalatyourhouse，whenyourfatherreadatprayersthemiracleofhealingthesickofthepalsy——whereheistoldtotakeuphisbedandwalk？Ido，andIcannowsowellrealizetheforceofthatpassage。ThesmallestpieceofmatisthebedoftheOriental，andyesterdayIsawanativeperformtheveryaction，whichremindedmetomentionit。ButyouarebetterreadthanI，andperhapsyouknewallthislongago……OnedayIboughtsomesmallnativeidolstosendhometoyouascuriosities，butafterwardsfindingtheyhadbeencastinEngland，madetolookold，andshippedover，Ithrewthemawayindisgust。

\'Speakingofthisremindsmethatweareobligedtoimportallourhouse-buildingironworkfromEngland。Neverwassuchforesightrequiredtobeexercisedinbuildinghousesashere。Beforewebegin，wehavetoordereverycolumn，lock，hinge，andscrewthatwillberequired。Wecannotgointothenextstreet，asinLondon，andgetthemcastataminute\'snotice。Mr。L。sayssomebodywillhavetogotoEnglandverysoonandsuperintendtheselectionofalargeorderofthiskind。IonlywishImaybetheman。\'

Therebeforeherlaythedeposit-receiptforthetwohundredpounds，andbesideittheelegantpresentofKnight。Elfridegrewcold——thenhercheeksfeltheatedbybeatingblood。Ifbydestroyingthepieceofpaperthewholetransactioncouldhavebeenwithdrawnfromherexperience，shewouldwillinglyhavesacrificedthemoneyitrepresented。Shedidnotknowwhattodoineithercase。Shealmostfearedtoletthetwoarticleslieinjuxtaposition:soantagonisticweretheintereststheyrepresentedthatamiraculousrepulsionofonebytheotherwasalmosttobeexpected。

Thatdayshewasseenlittleof。Bytheeveningshehadcometoaresolution，andacteduponit。Thepacketwassealedup——withatearofregretassheclosedthecaseupontheprettyformsitcontained——directed，andplaceduponthewriting-tableinKnight\'sroom。AndaletterwaswrittentoStephen，statingthatasyetshehardlyunderstoodherpositionwithregardtothemoneysent；

butdeclaringthatshewasreadytofulfilherpromisetomarryhim。Afterthisletterhadbeenwrittenshedelayedpostingit——

althoughneverceasingtofeelstrenuouslythatthedeedmustbedone。

Severaldayspassed。TherewasanotherIndianletterforElfride。

Comingunexpectedly，herfathersawit，butmadenoremark——why，shecouldnottell。Thenewsthistimewasabsolutelyoverwhelming。Stephen，ashehadwished，hadbeenactuallychosenasthemostfittingtoexecutetheiron-workcommissionhehadalludedtoasimpending。Thisdutycompletedhewouldhavethreemonths\'leave。Hislettercontinuedthatheshouldfollowitinaweek，andshouldtaketheopportunitytoplainlyaskherfathertopermittheengagement。Thencameapageexpressiveofhisdelightandhersatthereunion；andfinally，theinformationthathewouldwritetotheshippingagents，askingthemtotelegraphandtellherwhentheshipbringinghimhomeshouldbeinsight——

knowinghowacceptablesuchinformationwouldbe。

Elfridelivedandmovednowasinadream。Knighthadatfirstbecomealmostangryatherpersistentrefusalofhisoffering——andnolesswiththemannerthanthefactofit。Buthesawthatshebegantolookwornandill——andhisvexationlessenedtosimpleperplexity。

Heceasednowtoremaininthehouseforlonghourstogetherasbefore，butmadeitamerecentreforantiquarianandgeologicalexcursionsintheneighbourhood。Throwuphiscardsandgoawayhefainwouldhavedone，butcouldnot。And，thus，availinghimselfoftheprivilegesofarelative，hewentinandoutthepremisesasfancyledhim——butstilllingeredon。

\'Idon\'twishtostayhereanotherdayifmypresenceisdistasteful，\'hesaidoneafternoon。\'AtfirstyouusedtoimplythatIwasseverewithyou；andwhenIamkindyoutreatmeunfairly。\'

\'No，no。Don\'tsayso。\'

Theoriginoftheiracquaintanceshiphadbeensuchastorendertheirmannertowardseachotherpeculiaranduncommon。Itwasofakindtocausethemtospeakouttheirmindsonanyfeelingsofobjectionanddifference:tobereticentongentlermatters。

\'Ihaveagoodmindtogoawayandnevertroubleyouagain，\'

continuedKnight。

Shesaidnothing，buttheeloquentexpressionofhereyesandwanfacewasenoughtoreproachhimforharshness。

\'Doyoulikemetobehere，then？\'inquiredKnightgently。

\'Yes，\'shesaid。Fidelitytotheoldloveandtruthtothenewwererangedonoppositesides，andtruthvirtuelesslyprevailed。

\'ThenI\'llstayalittlelonger，\'saidKnight。

\'Don\'tbevexedifIkeepbymyselfagooddeal，willyou？Perhapssomethingmayhappen，andImaytellyousomething。\'

\'Merecoyness，\'saidKnighttohimself；andwentawaywithalighterheart。Thetrickofreadingtrulytheenigmaticalforcesatworkinwomenatgiventimes，whichwithsomemenisanunerringinstinct，ispeculiartomindslessdirectandhonestthanKnight\'s。

Thenextevening，aboutfiveo\'clock，beforeKnighthadreturnedfromapilgrimagealongtheshore，amanwalkeduptothehouse。

HewasamessengerfromCamelton，atownafewmilesoff，towhichplacetherailwayhadbeenadvancedduringthesummer。

\'AtelegramforMissSwancourt，andthreeandsixpencetopayforthespecialmessenger。\'MissSwancourtsentoutthemoney，signedthepaper，andopenedherletterwithatremblinghand。Sheread:

\'Johnson，Liverpool，toMissSwancourt，Endelstow，nearCastleBoterel。

\'AmaryllistelegraphedoffHolyhead，fouro\'clock。ExpectwilldockandlandpassengersatCanning\'sBasinteno\'clockto-morrowmorning。\'

Herfathercalledherintothestudy。

\'Elfride，whosentyouthatmessage？\'heaskedsuspiciously。

\'Johnson。\'

\'WhoisJohnson，forHeaven\'ssake？\'

\'Idon\'tknow。\'

\'Thedeuceyoudon\'t!Whoistoknow，then？\'

\'Ihaveneverheardofhimtillnow。\'

\'That\'sasingularstory，isn\'tit。\'

\'Idon\'tknow。\'

\'Come，come，miss!Whatwasthetelegram？\'

\'Doyoureallywishtoknow，papa？\'

\'Well，Ido。\'

\'Remember，Iamafull-grownwomannow。\'

\'Well，whatthen？\'

\'Beingawoman，andnotachild，Imay，Ithink，haveasecretortwo。\'

\'Youwill，itseems。\'

\'Womenhave，asarule。\'

\'Butdon\'tkeepthem。Sospeakout。\'

\'Ifyouwillnotpressmenow，Igivemywordtotellyouthemeaningofallthisbeforetheweekispast。\'

\'Onyourhonour？\'

\'Onmyhonour。\'

\'Verywell。Ihavehadacertainsuspicion，youknow；andIshallbegladtofinditfalse。Idon\'tlikeyourmannerlately。\'

\'Attheendoftheweek，Isaid，papa。\'